Shodasha Samskaragalu

1. Garbhadhana (means conception) is the first

samskara among them. It is practiced on the first
night of the marriage for the newly married couple in
which Aahuti's (traditional offering with the help of
Agni Deva) are offered by chanting Mantras. It also
involves chanting some special mantra by laying a
hand on the bride's forehead. Garbhadhana purifies
the couple's soul and body thereby ensuring to
conceive a pure and healthy foetus.
2. Pumsavana (samskara for having male child) is the
second samskara practiced four months after
conceiving a baby for having a male child. It is
believed that Pumsavana helps one to have healthy
and brave offspring
3. Seemanta (for having Normal delivery) is the third
samskara practiced during the seventh month of
pregnancy for having Normal delivery of the child. In
case the mother who is conceiving the baby has any
worries/negative feelings and / or anxiety, Seemanta
gives strength to the mother as well as the infant and

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help them to overcome any depression (anxiety

neurosis).

4. Jaatakarma : The fourth samskara is Jaatakarma

done after the child’s birth. This samskara is of very
much importance, as it is believed that Jaatakarma
enhances the baby's growth. It is also a practice to
get the horoscope of the new born baby to know
about its future.

5. Naamkarana (naming ceremony) is the fifth

Samskara wherein we decide the name of the child
for his / her identity. The child is then placed in the
Cradle with a prayer, seeking blessing for the child.

6. Nishkraman is the sixth Samskara wherein we

introduce the child to the external world (that means
the child is shown the external surrounding for the first
time). The child is first shown the Sun, the Moon,
stars. Also we believe every directions has its own
lord (sides in clockwise direction)

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7. Annapraashana (initial Food intake) is the seventh

samskara wherein the child eats food for the first time.
The food is to be fed with the help of Golden /Silver
spoon. On this day, for the first time nivedita anna will
be eaten by the child.

8. Karnavedha Samskara – usually performed in the

sixth or seventh month after birth, consists of the
piercing of the baby’s ear lobes, so ear rings may be
worn.
9. Choodakarma is the eighth samskara in which hair of
the infant is shaved off for the first time. Normally it is
done when the male child is in the 3RD yeard. It is a
big ceremony in Hindus. Some people have the
tradition of giving the first hair to Tirupathi Timmappa
in the very first year itself.
10. Aksharabhyaasa: begins a student’s primary
education by ceremonially introducing the child to the
alphabet
11. Upanayana (Thread Ceremony), the ninth
samskara marks the beginning of “Gurukul Vrata” and
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‘Bhramacharya' . This samskara is done to purify the

soul of the child and it enhances the grasping power
and the intellect of the child. During the samskara the
child pledges to live life in a particular way (as per
Gurus instructions) and adhere to all kinds of hardship
without complaining.
12. Samaavartana is the fifteenth samskara that
ends the ‘Bhramacharya' and the pupil is free from all
his pledge undertaken during Upanayana . Now he is
a grown young man and has to choose his way
towards life amongst Pravruti (Married life) and Nivruti
(Sanyaas). Once he decides his way towards leading
his life he seeks Guru' s consent for his choice of life
and is accordingly blessed by his guru.

13. Panchamahayagna - A married couple

performs the panchamahayajna, or five great
sacrifices, daily. In this Samskara, one honours, in
turn, the rishis (ancient seers of Truth), the gods, the
ancestors, humankind, and all created beings.

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14. Vivaha (Marriage) is the last, sixteenth

Samskara wherein one decides to marry a girl / boy of
his/ her choice. Marriage is always a big ceremony
across the world. Only the customs are different. In
India traditionally marriage takes place in presence of
the entire community along with Special Yagnya . The
groom and the bride pledge to be honest and loyal to
each other. The mantra influence ones marital life and
enhances their mutual love. It also blesses the
married couple by showering upon all the pleasures
and brings prosperity.

15. Vanaprastha Samskara – According to the Vedic

tradition, vanaprastha is the third stage of life,
following brahmacharya (Vedic student/disciple) and
grihasta (householder). Here, a man leaves behind
his life in the world and retires to the forest (with or
without his wife), to live an ascetic life devoted to
study of the scriptures and to meditation.
16. Antyeshti Samskara – The final samskara, the
funeral rites, are known as antyeshti Samskara.
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